I have heard different things about shaving one's pubic hair. I have heard that it is optional and also heard that you have to. What is correct?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is confirmed that the Prophet said: "Five are among the Fitrah acts (i.e. natural disposition): Circumcision, shaving pubic hair, plucking out armpit hair, clipping one's nails and trimming one's moustache." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The pubic hair could be removed by many means, but the Arabic word that is used is Istihdaad, which is using the iron i.e. a blade or a similar tool. Imaam An-Nawawi said: 'It is better to shave the pubic hair.'

As regards whether it is an obligation or optional, the jurists agreed that it is a recommended act for men and women, however, some jurists are of the view that it is an obligation on the woman if her husband orders her to do so.

Imaam An-Nawawi said: 'It is agreed among the scholars that shaving the pubic hair is a recommended act as well. As regards whether it is an obligation on the wife if her husband orders her to do so, there are two well-known opinions about this. The predominant one is that it is an obligation; this is in case it is not odd to an extent to prevent the husband from enjoyment, as when it repels him from [full] enjoyment, it becomes absolutely an obligation on her to shave it.'

To conclude, shaving the pubic hair is a recommended act except for the wife if her husband orders her to do so, or she becomes odd to an extent that her husband is driven away from her, in which case it becomes an obligation on her to shave it.

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